JACKSON, Wyo. — An uncertain wildfire season and future are looming and the University of Wyoming (UW) Extension wants the state to be prepared.

A free, six-week webinar series will share presentations on wildfire-related topics and offer practical knowledge, expert perspectives and actionable steps for communities to take to stay resilient. The Wyoming Wildfire Webinar Series will take place on Thursdays, from April 30 to June 4, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Each session is offered live online and will be made available as a recording after.

“From fostering community collaboration and navigating the tradeoffs of wildfire mitigation, to understanding the impacts of wildfire smoke on livestock and public health, the series provides insights across multiple disciplines, equipping attendees with relevant information as they prepare for and respond to this year’s wildfire season,” reads the webinar description.

Each week of the webinar will dive deep into a specific topic with presentations by experts. Learn more and register for the free series here. Below is a list of each week’s topic and presenters:

  • April 30: Integrated fuels management within the Wind River and Bighorn Basin. Presentation by Bureau of Land Management Fuels Program Manager Rance Neighbors.
  • May 7: Collaborative community-level planning for wildfire risk management. Presentation by University of Wyoming’s Matt Hamilton, Ph.D.
  • May 14: Impacts of wildfire smoke on livestock and grazing after wildfire. Presentations by University of Idaho’s Amy Skibiel, Ph.D., and UW Extension’s Barton Stam.
  • May 21: Reduce the ire from wildfire: Best practices to reduce risk to you and your home. Presentation by Teton County Conservation District’s Land Resources Specialist Robb Sgroi.
  • May 28: Sheridan County Public Health: A case study of the 2024 Elk Fire response. Presented by Sheridan County Public Health’s Response Coordinator Edward Hinzman.
  • June 4: Wildland fire: Positive and negative impacts to wildfire habitat. Presentation by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife Wyoming Coordinator Tim Kramer.

Monica is a Staff Reporter who studied journalism at Syracuse University and has been in the valley since 2015. She loves writing about the local food and bev scene, especially craft beer. When she’s not on the clock, you can find her paddle boarding, sewing, or whipping up a new recipe at home.